Interlocking infill for additive manufacturing products

Abstract

The present invention provides a method improving the shear strength of a 3D manufactured product by inserting infill into the interstices between the bead layers.

1 . A method for increasing the shear strength of a molded additive manufactured product comprising:
 (a) creating a wall from a series of at least three layers of beads of suitable material, the layers having alternating widths to create an interstitial gap between the first and third layers, the first layer having a width greater than the width of the second layer;   (b) depositing a layer of infill into the gap between the first and third layers;   (c) repeating steps (b) and (c) sequentially to create gaps between the alternating greater width layers; and   (d) depositing a layer of strengthening infill in the respective gaps; and   wherein the strengthening infill extends into abutment with the wall of the lesser width bead layers.